Sri Lanka maintained their rampaging form in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a comfortable 20-run win over Ireland in Group B, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday night. Opting to bat, after winning the toss, the hosts first composed and then exploded for a competitive total of 163 for 6 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s innings revolved around a composed and safe knock from wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis who ended the innings at 56 not out off 43 balls. Mendis consolidated the innings after a flurry of early wickets, rotated the strike well and punished whatever wayward bowling there was. Sri Lanka were given a solid start by Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara as they reached 50 in the powerplay, but Ireland took wickets regularly to stem the flow of runs.
The crucial phase was the end of innings, when Kamindu Mendis unleashed a savage attack on Irish bowing. His 44 runs came from only 19 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes, and swung the advantage heavily in the favor of Sri Lanka. Kamindu swung his bat without fear, letting the ball go up with rapid speed in the death overs and ensuring that Sri Lanka ended beyond 160 – perhaps crucially. On the other hand, George Dockrell was the pick of bowlers for Ireland taking two crucial wickets by giving away just 17 runs.
Ireland’s pursuit did not begin well as captain Paul Stirling departed in the opening over, leaving their middle order with some pressure to assert. Ross Adair and Harry Tector tried to revive the innings with a good stand of their own, ensuring that Ireland stayed in the hunt during the powerplay and middle overs. Tector’s 40 off 34 balls was the lynchpin of their chase, while Adair’s 34 at a run-a-ball had offered brief hope for a late flurry.
But Sri Lanka’s spinners turned the screws at the critical moment. Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga bowled a match-winning spell in the middle overs, mixing line-and-length with smart variations to conjure a collapse. Theekshana ended with 3 for 23, and Hasaranga joined him with 3 for 25, blowing away Ireland’s middle order and leaving too much to do for the lower batsmen.
A couple of late boundaries notwithstanding, Ireland were bowled out for 143 in 19.5 overs – 20 runs adrift of their target. The victory put Sri Lanka in a strong position in Group B and confirmed the depth and balance that they have at their disposal – Ireland must rue missed chances against a talented Sri Lankan team.
